Erick Trickel

United States

Senior Draft Analyst at Sports Illustrated

#BroncosCountry Senior Draft Analyst @MileHighHuddle. Host of Dove Valley Deep Divers. Tweets/opinions strictly mine. Business Email: [email protected]

Articles

7 Young Broncos Who Must Step Up in 2025

6 days ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

The Denver Broncos have a strong but young roster. Making it back to the playoffs in 2024, the Broncos are now looking to take the next step: a playoff victory. To do so, naturally, the Broncos need some of the young guys on the roster to either turn another corner or step up. While youth is associated with age, it also means inexperience. All but one of the players we'll talk about today are either rookies or entering their second year.
Broncos Urged to Sign Former Colts Safety Julian Blackmon, per PFF

1 week ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

The Denver Broncos have built a strong roster. GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton's work allowed them to go different ways in the NFL draft, and their roster is now oozing potential. However, no roster is perfect. Despite Paton and Payton's efforts, the Broncos still have some holes on the roster. The running back position is still questionable. The Broncos don’t have the big two-gapping nose tackle that Payton has been wanting, and they still have questions at a few other positions.
Report: Giants Cut Former Broncos WR Two Months After Signing Him

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Erick Trickel

The Broncos were interested in bringing Humphrey back, but the Giants got in front of them, signing him on March 21. Less than two months later, he's back on the market, and Denver could still have interest in a reunion. The Broncos' interest in bringing Humphrey back was purportedly due to him adding weight and switching to a tight end.
Report: Giants Cut Former Broncos WR Two Months After Signing Him

1 week ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

The New York Giants made a round of cuts on Friday to make room for their rookie class, including undrafted signings. The surprise name on the cutting room floor is former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey, per The Athletic's Dan Duggan. The Broncos were interested in bringing Humphrey back, but the Giants got in front of them, signing him on March 21. Less than two months later, he's back on the market, and Denver could still have interest in a reunion.
Broncos Send NFL a Message by Selecting the Oldest 2025 Draft Class

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Erick Trickel

Broncos head coach Sean Payton and GM George Payton weren’t bothered by age, with their first two picks being 23 or older. First-round cornerback Jahdae Barron is 23 and will turn 24 in December, while second-round running back RJ Harvey turned 24 in February.
Broncos Send NFL a Message by Selecting the Oldest 2025 Draft Class

1 week ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

Many analysts view a draft prospect's age as the younger being better. However, the Denver Broncos clearly looked at age differently in the 2025 NFL draft, selecting the oldest draft class in the league, with an average age of over 23 years. Broncos head coach Sean Payton and GM George Payton weren’t bothered by age, with their first two picks being 23 or older. First-round cornerback Jahdae Barron is 23 and will turn 24 in December, while second-round running back RJ Harvey turned 24 in February.
It's Time to Bust This Major Myth Surrounding Broncos QB Bo Nix

1 week ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

Ever since the NFL draft, there have been concerns within the fan base that the Denver Broncos didn't do enough this offseason to build around Bo Nix. It's a big reason many fans are still sour on the Broncos' draft class. It's fair to ask whether the Broncos did enough, but saying they didn’t do anything is hogwash. Let's break it down. First off, the Broncos signed Evan Engram to play the power slot role and upgrade the tight end room. Engram was the first weapon added for Nix.
Former Broncos GM Brian Xanders Lands New Gig With the Jaguars

1 week ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

Former Denver Broncos general manager Brian Xanders is reportedly joining the Jacksonville Jaguars front office as a senior personnel executive, per CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. "The Jaguars are hiring Brian Xanders for a front office role, sources say," Jones posted on X. "Xanders, the Broncos GM from 2009-2012, has been with the Rams as a senior personnel executive since 2017, where he worked with new Jags GM James Gladstone.
Former Broncos First-Round Pick Cautions Team on Nik Bonitto's Future

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Erick Trickel

This inconvenient truth raises questions, especially considering Bonitto's low-pressure rate. He's a boom-or-bust pass rusher who has largely been shut out when the game isn’t out of hand. There are also well-documented issues with Bonitto's run defense, which was exposed in the Broncos' playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. So, the Broncos have an interesting decision to make.
Cowboys Cut Former Broncos WR Seth Williams

1 week ago | si.com | Erick Trickel

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Seth Williams is dealing with the harsh fallout of the Dallas Cowboys acquiring George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams, a former Broncos draft pick, had been with the Cowboys since last October, but once the Pickens trade was announced, he was quickly waived. Williams was a 2021 sixth-round pick by the Broncos, but has yet to emerge in the NFL.